Provenance: The State Historical Society of North Dakota acquired the Wallin Family Papers as a gift from Eleanor Sikes Peters in numerous deposits occurring between 1967 and 1982. Juliann Henriksen prepared the inventory to the Wallin Family Papers in August 1984.

Property Rights: The State Historical Society of North Dakota owns the property rights to this collection.

Copyrights: Copyrights to materials in this collection remain with the donor, publisher, author, or author's heirs. Researchers should consult the 1976 Copyright Act, Public Law 94-553, Title 17, U.S. Code and an archivist at this repository if clarification of copyright requirements is needed.

Access: This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the State Historical Society.

Citation: Researchers are requested to cite the collection title, collection number, and the State Historical Society of North Dakota in all footnote and bibliographic references.

Alfred C. Wallin was born on February 12, 1836 in Gilbertsville, New York. His family lived in Michigan for a number of years and moved to Chicago in 1851. Wallin's father and two eldest brothers brought a tannery and formed the company of C.C. Wallin & Sons, Manufacturers and Dealers in Leather. Wallin apprenticed as a tanner and currier in the family business.

In 1857, Wallin decided to further his formal education and attended the Elgin Academy, where he began to study law. Wallin entered the Law School at Ann Arbor Michigan in 1860 and received a law license in 1862. He eventually practiced law in Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota and North Dakota. Wallin was elected to serve on the first North Dakota Supreme Court bench following the admission of North Dakota into the Union. He served as a Supreme Court judge from 1889 until 1904 when he retired because of deafness.

Alfred Wallin married Ellen Gray Keyes on January 1, 1868 in Elgin, Illinois. They had two children while living in St. Peter, Minnesota. The daughter, Madeleine, was born on October 12, 1868 and the son died in infancy. Alfred Wallin died on January 9, 1923 in Santa Monica, California.

The Wallin Family Papers date from 1878 to 1953 and measure one-half foot. The papers have been divided into three series: Alfred C. Wallin Papers, Madeleine Wallin Sikes Papers, and Miscellaneous.

The Alfred C. Wallin Papers date from 1889 to 1925, occupy four folders, and consist of correspondence, manuscripts, memorials and newspaper clippings. The correspondence dates from 1889 to 1923 and is arranged chronologically. The manuscripts consist of speeches concerning the Suez Canal, the U.S. Centennial Celebration and the Isthmian Canal; manuscripts concerning the Ministry of Labor and the Circumnavigation of Manhattan Island; notes on early explorers; and poems. The memorials include correspondence and a resolution of the North Dakota Supreme Court. The newspaper clippings include articles concerning Wallin's activities and his obituary.

The Madeleine Wallin Sikes Papers date from 1879 to 1937, occupy three folders and consist of correspondence, school work, and miscellaneous items. The correspondence dates from 1885 to 1937 and is arranged chronologically. The school work dates from 1879 to 1885 and is comprised of essays, exams and a speech. The miscellaneous items consist of a receipt, a play program, a speech, and an account of her experiences with Sitting Bull.

The Miscellaneous Papers date from 1878 to 1953, occupy three folders and consist of a diary, newspaper clippings and miscellaneous items. The diary belonged to George Sikes and reveals the activities of a school boy from 1878 to 1879. The newspaper clippings date from 1915 to 1953 and consist of articles regarding Elizabeth Wallin Van Nostrand, Harriet S. Sikes, and Sitting Bull. The Miscellaneous items consist of two Halloween postcards, a tribute to Mrs. William B. Herriott, a letter to Eleanor Sikes, a letter from Harriet and Edsell Sikes respectively, and poetry.